We pick up the story where Jesus was about to appear to the disciples a second time after His resurrection.
John 21:3 “I’m going out to fish, Simon Peter told them, and they said, We’ll go with you. So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.”
I believe it would be largely dependent on whose voice you choose to follow. The other disciples listened to Peter, and the result – they caught nothing. It was a fruitless pursuit.
It’s very important to pay close attention to whose voice you allow to influence your life.
When considering being fruitful, John 15 records the stages of being fruitful:
No fruit
More fruit
Much fruit
It’s been said before, We either become fruitful or firewood.
At first glance, it doesn’t appear to be that Peter is making a bad discussion about going fishing. But, as we look further, we might debate it wasn’t wrong at all. Jesus comes and appears to be joking with them and even a bit sarcastic. That’s just an observation — I truly don’t know just — hypothetically speaking.
Here’s the thought. After Jesus steps on the scene and speaks, everything changes at His Word, and the results are TOTALLY different.
Fruitfulness!!
Psalm 92 “Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing…”
Bringing forth fruit in old age (love that, especially as I grow older)
I believe God wants us to be fruitful (productive)
Here’s what I believe as I’ve studied scripture. There are areas we should have fruitful pursuits.
Fruitful in:
1. Character
Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness.”
Refuse to lean on your talent but rather choose to have character.
2. Praise
Fruit of our lips – Hebrew 13:15
3. Soul winning
Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
4. Giving
Proverbs 3:9 “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops…”
The question is – have your pursuits been fruitful?
If you measure yourself in these areas, what more should you pursue?